…As you work hard for me, I will work hard for Nigeria — he assures
…Buhari resonates support; ‘We’ve arrived’ – Adamu
…Lagos is ready – Sanwo-Olu
…We’ll not derail from over 23-yrs leadership commitment — Remi Tinubu
By Moses Adeniyi
Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has said President Muhammadu Buhari believes in his capacity to rule Nigeria and has worked hard for the actualisation of his ambition.
Tinubu made the assertion on Tuesday at the grand finale of the APC presidential rally held in Lagos, where he assured that as Buhari “worked hard for him, he would work hard for Nigeria.”
He said Buhari has testified of “the level of confidence you (Buhari) have in me.”
“Thank you. In a distant Country, Mr. President told them of my characteristics and his faith in my capacity to do a good job as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
“He never miss his word. He never lose his promise,” he said of Buhari, stating that he (Buhari) “promised to give to you the future of this country, to lay it in the hands of you youth. I want to say thank you very much.”
Tinubu who said Buhari has worked hard for him in his ambition, promised he would pay back by working hard for Nigeria.
He said, “But I assure you, as you work hard for me, I will work hard for Nigeria. As you give Nigerians the hope to renew their faith of their Country, I will sustain that hope. I will bring it to you.
“Those who left yesterday, will be envious of this Country. All the agenda said in my programme ‘renewed hope’ manifesto will be pursued, diligently, vigorously, with all our energy. Please bear with me.”
Tinubu added, “Mr. President, thank you in a million time. You set our feet on the path to the future, to work on and achieve greatness because it is desirable for Nigeria to be great.
“You said, for anyone to succeed you, he or she must work and follow the guidelines for nomination and that the primaries must be very transparent. You said our party will be a shining example like dew on the mountain.”
Tinubu called on Nigerians to excercise their franchise, requesting for their votes.
Recall that against speculations that President Buhari is not working in support of Tinubu the candidate of his party to emerge victorious, the President in a video where he appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the Naira redesign policy which had brought hardship on the masses, declared his confidence in Tinubu’s capacity to lead the Country.
Buhari in a video surfaced on Sunday recorded in Ethiopia where he attended the just-concluded African Union summit, drummed support for Tinubu, saying “he is reliable and I know he will build on our achievements.”
He emphasised that Tinubu has demonstrated his commitment to the development of the Country and the well-being of the people.
“I am not a contestant in this election, but my party, the All Progressives Congress, has a candidate in the person of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“As I mentioned before, Tinubu is a true believer in Nigeria, who loves the people and the development of our Country.
“I am calling on all of you to vote for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. He is reliable and I trust he will build on our achievements,” he said.
The President on Tuesday at the rally expressed hope his party’s candidate would win the polls.
Buhari raised the hands of Tinubu and Shettima, his running mate, assuring APC’s victory at the polls.
He called on Nigerians to vote Tinubu for a greater nation.
Buhari’s declaration of support for Tinubu is coming later in series of campaign activities, after perceived silence on the part of the President and his resolute declaration to ensure Nigerians are given freedom of choice to elect whosoever they want regardless of party affiliations, have been connoted by many that he is not in support of the APC presidential candidate, Tinubu.
Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai had earlier on Wednesday February 01, alleged that some key players in the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, were working against the victory of the Party in the presidential polls.
According to El-Rufai, the actors were particularly those whose candidates lost at the primary election of the ruling APC, which produced Tinubu as the winner.
He had said, “I believe there are elements in the Villa that want us to lose the election because they didn’t get their way; they had their candidate. Their candidate did not win the primaries.
“They are trying to get us to lose the election, and they are hiding behind the president’s desire to do what he thinks is right.”
His allegation had attracted reactions, with the Federal Government and the Presidency discrediting the assertion.
President Buhari has following the recurring allegations, declared openly his support for his party’s candidate.
…Lagos is ready – Sanwo-Olu
Speaking at the grand finale of the rally on Tuesday, Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said Lagos occupies significant position for victory of the party at the presidential polls, mentioning the State has continued to remain a rallying point, centerpiece of excellence of the Country
He called for massive votes for the APC, assuring the readiness of the State for remarkable election.
He said, “From Ikeja down to this rally, we witnessed overwhelming show of support and love for Asiwaju on the streets, which is an acknowledgment of the love Lagos people have for the City Boy (Tinubu). Thank you Lagosians for believing in the progressives party and for rising to receive our leader.
“On Saturday, we have another opportunity to consolidate the support which you have shown our party. I urge you all to troop to your polling stations and massively vote for the man who has the capacity to bring the country to another level of development. With your support, I have no doubt APC will be victorious.”
…We’ll not derail from over 23-yrs leadership commitment – Remi Tinubu
In her remarks, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and wife of the APC presidential candidate, Tinubu, said the party on Tuesday hit a crucial stage after long campaign, mentioning that Lagosians “can always count” on them for consistent leadership which she said has lasted in “the past 23 years and won’t stop.”
Remi Tinubu who served as Lagos First Lady from 1999 to 2007 and Senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District at the Senate for three consecutive assemblies (7th, 8th, 9th assemblies – 2011 till present) said Tinubu’s ambition was borne by the need to leave Nigeria comfortable for all, promising “we will not derail.”
“You have been with us for several years. By the grace of God we will not disappoint you,” she said, promising an inclusive government.
On his part, the National Chairman of APC, Abdullahi Adamu said with the turnout recorded in all States where the party have held rallies so far, the Party is assured of victory.
“We can say that we are there, we have arrived,” he said mentioning that it is hoped legacies of the ongoing administration will be continued.
He said the last of the series of the rally is symbolic for the party’s victory.
“By the feelers we got across the country, we are sure of victory. I believe by this time on Saturday, we would be celebrating. The die is cast; Tinubu will be sworn in May 29, 2023,” Adamu said.